Tarheel

I still don't get it...Are the 180 days of medical just luck, or are we entitled to it? This is a big deal! My wife and I just learned we have a new baby on the way...4 months after my VSP separation!

My time control was off on this one.

MoosePileit

Tarheel, Congrats on adding one to the family formation. Don't sweat time control, I don't think it's a gradeable item in your case. Have you separated yet? Do you have your ID Card? If both are yes- what does it say on the back? Under "Medical" my red civilian card said " Direct:Yes" and I'm guessing this is what shows you are in tricare. If you have not separated yet, you can go ask either MPF or Tricare, but that's where your mileage may vary. Worst case- but the Tricare coverage, but it's about $1300/qtr for family. We used another provider for a bit less.

C212135

I was told we DO NOT get the free Tricare for 180 days but we can Purchase some level of Tricare.

Anyone know how the ART positions would work w/ VSP...kind of the same as an AGR? I believe they are GS positions. Any VSPers have any luck getting an ART position??? Can you buy into Civil Service Retirement. Thanks and sorry for the slight thread hijack.

BNUT

I'm trying to get an ART position--if anyone has any wisdom on that let me know. It specifically states in one of the force shaping messages about VSP and retirement that if you get a civil service retirement you are not required to pay back your sep pay. I guess I should keep my fingers crossed that it isn't changed or additional wording added as has happened already...

flyfish

Tarheel, I know your position well. I have a 6 month old and knew at the time of applying for VSP we would be in this situation. The 180 days of medical was a crucial part of our decision. Just today I was informed officially by my MPF, they have changed the rules.

I'm going through the out-processing 'invent-the-wheel' game right now. Answers from AFPC directly and from their site today...."180 days health care is a negative." However, today on the phone, she (the afpc gal) did admit that the program initially offered the medical coverage and later changed. If you can track down the date that you applied, hold on to it and consider your options.

I have a letter drafted for my congressman. I'm hoping but not holding my breath that he will be able to help. It was part of the original deal so consider getting your congressman involved. If it was IBM, there would be lawsuits all over the place. Here's a website to help locate your congressman. http://www.house.gov/writerep/ I called mine today and was surprised at how great they were to talk to. We'll see if it does any good.

Does anyone have any documentation of the 180 days of Medical Coverage to share? It was not in the original message. I was only ever briefed it and I could swear it was on their website in the beginning.

Good Luck,
Fish

MoosePileit

Sorry, As AFPC updates the web site and messages to their advantage, you have to store versions ahead of the game. Now- that said- What is your DOS and when do you outprocess MPF? Get your red ID card (assuming you don't go to the AFRC right away and stay on a CAC card. What does the back say- Medical- Direct- "Yes" or Not? Also, when you outpro Tricare and your MTF/Mil treatment facility- do you show as 6 mos of coverage- I was briefed I did not have coverage, so I bought some- I went on long RPA orders the next month and Tricare upon checkin said I was actually covered- Don't listen to MPF or AFPC- get you ID card, check w/ Tricare, then call your congressperson if it isn't working- shop around, don't just get the tricare civilian offering, it's about $300/qtr overpriced!

MoosePileit

Flyfish and bros- Well, I must admit I am more of a packrat than I thougt... I do have the actual hard copy 26 Jul 06 VSP message and the dated MPF letter about the program- I was on base the day it came out and pack ratted it w/ my VSP stuff- the one before any of the website FAQs at AFPC. That's the only direct good news.

I'll fax it to anyone interested or mail copies- but, I'll quote paragraph 20. first:
" Transitional Benefits: Pre-separation counseling; employment and transitional assitance; transportation and relocation assistance"

It doesn't say medical coverage. When I look up involuntary/RIF bennies at AFPC, it does call out directly the medical:
"18. TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS: OFFICERS SELECTED FOR SEPARATION BY THE RIF BOARD ARE ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS: 1) PRE-SEPARATION COUNSELING; 2) GENERAL TRANSITION SERVICES (INCLUDING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING); 3) VERIFICATION OF MILITARY EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING (DD FORM 2586); 4) UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (VARIES BY STATE IN WHICH FILED); 5) 180 DAYS OF EXTENDED MEDICAL CARE FOR FAMILY AND MEMBER; 6) 20 DAYS PERMISSIVE TDY FOR EMPLOYMENT AND RELOCATION ACTIVITIES (30 FOR OVERSEAS RETURNEES); 7) 2ND OPPORTUNITY TO ENROLL IN THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL; 8) NAF HIRING PREFERENCE FOR MEMBER OR SPOUSE; 9) PERMISSIVE TDY TO ATTEND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TAP WORKSHOP IF NOT OFFERED LOCALLY"

Again- that last quote was from the Involuntary Sep Programs/RIFs. Sorry- I don't have it anywhere that we have any extended medical- again- My records at Tricare and my ID card on my DOS gave me bennies- actual mileage my vary- I was a Jan 07 DOS w/ the VSP.

LOBO

See if anyone can answer this question:

At what point will your MPC update the data in DEERS? I have been on terminal leave now for a little over a month and according to TRICARE and the DEERS folks (800-538-9552) I am still labeled as being active duty even though my DOS is in two weeks.

MoosePileit

What ID card do you have? White/CAC or Red/civilian? Are you all done w/ final outprocessing or is that the day before your DOS?

MoosePileit

LOBO, looking back- you were the one that wrote that VSP means we should leave the military- funny, I just saved my AFRC unit a bunch of bucks in training- your tax $, but joining them. Maybe you are stop lossed or recalled... Hope not...